I have a lighter someone gave me as a gift, but I still nearly always use matches. Zippos and
other lighters are wonderful objects, nice in the hand and cleverly designed and kind of
delicious with their chrome cases, etc. I just feel more control with a match. Sure they are
annoying, sometimes not striking properly. Then you have to dispose of the used match,
and they add an additional dimension of fire hazard since they aren't always out when you
think they are, or a live end breaks off and goes glowing to the carpet, etc. I don't like the
smell of lighter fluid confounding the scent of the tobacco. I don't like the sometimes
excess flame of a lighter and the hazard it poses to the finish of the pipe, or the inside of
the bowl if it is really too intense. And I like the historical quality of a match, very Nineteenth
Century, or earlier. I like the sound of a striking match. I like the delicacy and control of
a match flame. I just can't break the habit.
other lighters are wonderful objects, nice in the hand and cleverly designed and kind of
delicious with their chrome cases, etc. I just feel more control with a match. Sure they are
annoying, sometimes not striking properly. Then you have to dispose of the used match,
and they add an additional dimension of fire hazard since they aren't always out when you
think they are, or a live end breaks off and goes glowing to the carpet, etc. I don't like the
smell of lighter fluid confounding the scent of the tobacco. I don't like the sometimes
excess flame of a lighter and the hazard it poses to the finish of the pipe, or the inside of
the bowl if it is really too intense. And I like the historical quality of a match, very Nineteenth
Century, or earlier. I like the sound of a striking match. I like the delicacy and control of
a match flame. I just can't break the habit.
